admin
For many people who grew up in the 80s or 90s, their childhood memories are etched with the flowing cape and iconic “S” of Superman: a symbol of hope, strength, and morality that embodied the cultural zeitgeist.
Christopher Reeve’s portrayal, Saturday morning cartoons, and comic book covers all helped weave the Man of Steel into the fabric of that era. For Aamir Sajjad, Reeve’s performance left such a lasting impact that in 2025, he founded an entire fan club, the first of its kind in the country, named after the hero who defined his youth and the spirit of a generation.
On Friday evening, Sajjad launched Pakistan’s first Superman and Christopher Reeve fan club and announced an upcoming pop culture event, Comic Con Pakistan, scheduled for January 31, 2026, at the Karachi Expo Centre. As part of the event’s pre-launch, a life-sized Superman statue was unveiled from Sajjad’s private collection at Comic Con Pakistan’s head office in Clifton. The event coincided with the release of the Superman franchise’s latest addition, directed by James Gunn and distributed by Warner Bros Pictures.
While attending comic conventions might not be a mainstream hobby, Karachi has seen its fair share of such events over the past few years with cosplayers and collectors carving out a judgment-free space to express themselves. Comic fans in Lahore and Islamabad have also built passionate hubs through events, meetups, and themed gatherings. Sajjad, however, hinted at scaling up the event, expanding it to studios and cafés, and inviting Hollywood stars.
How did it start?
Sajjad’s passion for pop culture took root decades ago when movies were a central part of his family life. His fascination with Hollywood led him to collect original film memorabilia over the past 20 to 30 years, and now, he says he has amassed over 5,000 collectables, including Rambo’s knives and the bullet casings fired at King Kong, signed by filmmaker Peter Jackson himself.
His interest gradually expanded to comic conventions. Despite minimal family support, he spent nearly two decades striving to bring a full-fledged version of the event to Pakistan.
The event’s mascot, Superhero Pakistan, is inspired by the national flag, and a major film project based on the character is already in development, according to Sajjad. He added that HKC Entertainment, the official distributor of several Hollywood movies in Pakistan, has joined them as a partner.
Addressing the audience at the launch, Sajjad recalled an exhibition of his collection at IVS Gallery, where children, including those with special needs, interacted with superheroes and found joy and inspiration, which motivated him to keep going.
“Who exactly is a ‘Superman’ and what does he do?” Sajjad asked. “Anyone who changes other people’s lives is a Superman.” He added that he has created over 500 original superhero characters.
‘Larger than life’
Speaking about her experience at the event, journalist Khursheed Hyder told Images that she was “very impressed” by Sajjad, whom she described as a close friend and a driven individual. “He’s always on the go, doing different things,” she said. “It’s not an easy hobby; it takes a lot of time, money, and thought.” She praised how meticulously Sajjad organised the event, and said she found the life-size statue on display very realistic upon its reveal.
Reflecting on her connection to Superman as a classic hero, Hyder said, “When you make a person famous, you start liking what they represent. Superman was larger than life; we read the comics, watched him on TV and in films. He stood for justice, goodness, and helping others. That leaves an impact on you.”
Another attendee at the event, Saima Hashim, said she was genuinely happy to see Comic Con Pakistan officially launching. “It’s a big step forward for the creative industry here,” she said. “This platform will open countless opportunities for everyone, especially the youth, to showcase their talents, express themselves, and connect with like-minded communities.”
The Superman statue on display, complete with realistic hair, real eyebrows, and crystal eyeballs, has been with him for nearly 15 years, Sajjad told Images. A close friend of his, who has worked in major art production studios, collaborated with him to design every detail: the pose, the base, the style, and even the kind of action the figure should convey.
Ahead of the official launch of Comic Con Pakistan in January, Sajjad said he has several smaller launches planned as part of the “road to Comic Con”.
